This Month in Canadian Music History: August
August has delivered some memorable moments in Canadian music history. From the birth of one of the country’s biggest international stars to an emotional concert watched from coast to coast, these are some of the Canadian music milestones worth remembering this month.
August 6, 1996 — Anne Murray Releases Anne Murray
Canadian country and pop legend Anne Murray released her self-titled studio album Anne Murray. Recorded partly in Toronto, the album reached No. 10 on the RPM Country Albums chart and became Murray’s final album made entirely of new original material.
August 8, 1974 — Rush Begins Breaking Into the United States
After initially releasing its self-titled debut album independently in Canada earlier in 1974, Rush gained an important foothold south of the border during the summer. American radio support for “Working Man” helped introduce the Toronto band to a much larger audience and set the stage for the arrival of drummer Neil Peart and the classic Rush lineup.
August 20, 2016 — The Tragically Hip’s Historic Kingston Concert
The Tragically Hip performed the final concert of their Man Machine Poem Tour in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario.
CBC broadcast the concert commercial-free across television, radio and digital platforms, while hundreds of public viewing parties were held across Canada. The evening became far more than a rock concert — it was a shared national moment and one of the most memorable events in modern Canadian music history.
Ten years later, the August 20, 2016 performance remains an extraordinary chapter in the legacy of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip.
CBC Rbroadcast: The Tragically Hip’s Historic Final Concert Returns to CBC for 10th Anniversary
August 22, 2014 — Gordon Lightfoot Connects With a New Generation
Canadian songwriting legend Gordon Lightfoot took part in a wide-ranging online question-and-answer session, discussing a career that had already spanned more than five decades.
Lightfoot reflected on his songwriting, performing and the remarkable list of artists who had recorded his compositions, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand. It was another reminder of the enormous international reach of one of Canada’s greatest songwriters.
August 28, 1965 — Shania Twain Is Born
Shania Twain was born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in Timmins.
She would go on to become one of the most successful Canadian recording artists in history, helping transform contemporary country music during the 1990s. Her crossover success brought Canadian country music to an enormous international audience, while Come On Over became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
August 28, 2015 — The Weeknd Releases Beauty Behind the Madness
Toronto artist The Weeknd released his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness.
The album represented a major international breakthrough for Abel Tesfaye and included massive singles such as “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.” Its success helped establish The Weeknd as one of the leading Canadian artists of his generation and accelerated his rise from Toronto’s alternative R&B scene to global pop stardom.
August 31 — Celebrating Canada’s Summer Music Legacy
August has traditionally been one of the busiest months on the Canadian live-music calendar. Festivals, outdoor concerts and hometown performances have helped generations of Canadian musicians build audiences long before international recognition arrived.
From folk and country to rock, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and pop, Canada’s summer stages remain an important part of the country’s musical story.
Remembering August in Canadian Music
From Anne Murray and Gordon Lightfoot to Rush, Shania Twain, The Tragically Hip and The Weeknd, August offers a snapshot of just how broad Canadian music history has become.
Some moments launched international careers. Others brought Canadians together. All helped build the musical legacy that continues to influence artists today.
Come back next month as The Maple Music Café Lounge looks back at the Canadian artists, albums, concerts and milestones that made September music history.